Number of ‘NEETs’ aged 16-18 hits record low
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The number of people between the ages of 16 and 18 not in education, employment or training (NEET) has fallen to its lowest ever level, according to new data.
During the second quarter of 2015, the number of 16 to 18 year-olds in England classed as NEET fell by 0.6 percentage points, to 7.5%.
The official figures show that the number of so-called NEETs in this age group dropped by 11,000 to reach its lowest point since the year 2000.
The Government added that the proportion of 16 to 24 year-olds classed as NEET dipped by 0.4 percentage points to 13.1% between April and June, while the figure was 0.3 percentage points lower at 15.7% among 19 to 24 year-olds.
Compared to the situation five years ago, the number of NEET 16 to 24 year-olds has gone down by 75,000 overall.
The improvements follow efforts to boost apprenticeships, along with rising standards across the technical education system.
Only today (August 21), Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin announced that he is keen to create 30,000 new apprenticeship positions in the road and rail sector before the end of the current Parliament.
Responding to the positive NEET data, Skills Minister Nick Boles said the Government is keen to get young people into jobs, or into a learning environment.
He added: “While the proportion of young people NEET is at its lowest for this time of the year since 2004, we will not stop there.
“Our focus remains firmly on equipping all young people with the skills they need – not least through our pledge to deliver three million new apprenticeships in this Parliament.”
The number of people between the ages of 16 and 18 not in education, employment or training (NEET) has fallen to its lowest ever level, according to new data.
During the second quarter of 2015, the number of 16 to 18 year-olds in England classed as NEET fell by 0.6 percentage points, to 7.5%.
The official figures show that the number of so-called NEETs in this age group dropped by 11,000 to reach its lowest point since the year 2000.
The Government added that the proportion of 16 to 24 year-olds classed as NEET dipped by 0.4 percentage points to 13.1% between April and June, while the figure was 0.3 percentage points lower at 15.7% among 19 to 24 year-olds.
Compared to the situation five years ago, the number of NEET 16 to 24 year-olds has gone down by 75,000 overall.
The improvements follow efforts to boost apprenticeships, along with rising standards across the technical education system.
Only today (August 21), Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin announced that he is keen to create 30,000 new apprenticeship positions in the road and rail sector before the end of the current Parliament.
Responding to the positive NEET data, Skills Minister Nick Boles said the Government is keen to get young people into jobs, or into a learning environment.
He added: “While the proportion of young people NEET is at its lowest for this time of the year since 2004, we will not stop there.
“Our focus remains firmly on equipping all young people with the skills they need – not least through our pledge to deliver three million new apprenticeships in this Parliament.”
